Researchers say Canadian dairy farmers are doing a better job of getting colostrum to their calves and measuring to make sure those calves have absorbed enough to create passive immunity. […] Read more
Tag Archives Colostrum
Colostrum has value for sick calves
Colostrum testing and feeding frequency has risen on Canadian dairy farms
Quality colostrum vital for small ruminant newborns
Dam nutrition is key to increasing quality, quantity and in utero trace minerals
The best way to enhance health and reduce mortality in kids and lambs is to ensure adequate consumption of high-quality colostrum, preferably from the herd of origin. Dr. Robert Van […] Read more
Boosting IgG levels in calves’ early meals
Speakers see potential benefits from changes in colostrum management
Strategies to ensure calves benefit as much as possible from colostrum were offered by two speakers at the recent 2022 Healthy Calf Conference. “We saw it when we went through […] Read more
Transition milk continues to show benefits
Improved gut health and reduced mortality are some benefits
A recent study shows that dairy farms are encouraged to feed transition milk to calves following the colostrum feeding. Transition milk is defined as the second to sixth milking after […] Read more
Understanding the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of colostrum for calves
Some fundamentals about what we should be feeding and how we can assist calves
We have known that colostrum is important to calf health for a long time. Calves are born with an immature immune system and they depend on the intake of antibodies […] Read more
Are dry cow diets decreasing colostrum quantity?
Specialists ponder trend of low yield from first and second milkings
A dairy nutritionist who reached out to farmers on social media wants to hear from farms not getting enough colostrum on first, second and third milkings. In an interview with […] Read more
Group housing gives insight into tailored calf diets
Partnered calves had greater dry matter consumption than singles
Group housing may be the most cost-effective option for tailoring calf nutrition to stage of growth. Why it matters: The veal and dairy industries continue to weigh the pros and […] Read more
Success with beef starts at the calf level
A veterinarian says farmers cut back on animal health as a cost saving
Glacier FarmMedia – Calf health is the No. 1 priority for success on a beef operation. The top third of producers invest the most in genetics, nutrition and animal health. […] Read more
Calves benefit from longer colostrum feeding
Gut development is enhanced if they get more than a couple of colostrum feedings
Multiple feedings of colostrum in the first few hours of life is an important investment in that calf’s long-term productivity, researchers say. The more feedings of colostrum a calf receives […] Read more
Calves benefit from mother’s post-colostrum milk
University of Guelph study identifies ‘bio-actives’ in days two to four of lactation
Taking newborn calves completely off colostrum after one or two feedings may contribute to future health challenges, according to as-yet-unpublished research by the University of Guelph’s Department of Animal Physiology. […] Read more